In the proper balance, nitrogen helps your plants produce sugars, and gardeners often add nitrogen via fertilizers to their soil. However, too much nitrogen will not only kill your plants but can pollute the ocean, increase acid in soil and lakes, and leach other nutrients out of the soil. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Test your soil for nitrogen levels. Either ask your local extension office to test your soil (even for free or a small cost) or buy a nitrogen testing kit. Follow instructions on the kit to find out nitrogen content.
2. Buy an organic fertilizer that has low levels of nitrogen and a high phosphorus content. Check levels on the fertilizer package. The ratios are in order (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). It should read something like 0-20-0.
3. Add small amounts of fertilizer more frequently during your growing season rather than adding a large amount just once. Adding small amounts allows the nitrogen to be used by the plants rather than soaking into the soil.
4. Keep an eye on your plants. If the lower leaves are yellow, for example, one possible cause could be too much nitrogen in your soil.
5. Test the nitrogen levels in your soil by using a soil test kit to check if levels of nitrogen have gone down. Do not allow levels to get too low either.
Tags: your soil, your plants, levels nitrogen, much nitrogen, nitrogen levels